Poland more than Lewandowski’s goals

From the outside Poland’s hopes of making an impact at Euro 2016 look set to rest on the shoulders of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.
The 27-year-old is one of the best out-and-out strikers in the world and fired 13 goals to top the overall scoring charts in qualifying.

However, having come second in a tough group including Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, the Poles have shown they have more than just their forward talisman.

Lewandowski shot to fame at Borussia Dortmund, where many of his goals came courtesy of his compatriots, winger Jakub Blaszczykowski and full-back Lukasz Piszczek, who formed a strong partnership on the right.

The trio were three of the players to emerge with credit from their country’s disappointing performance as co-hosts of Euro 2012 and remain vital for Adam Nawalka’s men, who are currently 51.00 to win Euro 2016.

Unlike four years ago, they now have extremely capable support from elsewhere on the field.

The battle for the number one shirt between Lukasz Fabianski, Artur Boruc and Wojciech Szczesny is particularly fascinating while midfielders Grzegorz Krychowiak and Piotr Zielinski provide the drive and guile missing from previous squads.

Perhaps just as importantly, in Arkadiusz Milik they have another forward who can provide goals following an impressive couple of seasons at Ajax.

The Poles have been drawn in Group C alongside Germany, Ukraine and Northern Ireland, but will be confident of qualifying for the last 16 and they are currently 4.50 to top the standings.

Their captain Lewandowski might quite rightly be regarded as their biggest threat, but he also has a supporting cast who will ensure the Biale Orly are more than capable of causing some upsets in France.